Western Canadian Provinces Continue to Have Active PNPs

The month of March has so far been another busy one when it comes to immigration to Canada’s western provinces. Recent activity among the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) out west will allow a diverse range of workers and graduates to immigrate to a region that is becoming increasingly popular among new immigrants to Canada, with job opportunities and high living standards cited as reasons for this trend.

So far this month, there have been draws in British Columbia (BC) and Manitoba — these provinces continue to invite individuals and families, both in Canada and abroad, to apply for a provincial nomination certificate. In addition, Alberta continues to process applications through its various streams and categories. Further, Saskatchewan introduced an application fee for two of its popular international skilled worker streams — a sign that these streams will continue to open for new applications throughout 2017.

British Columbia

On March 8, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) conducted its fourth draw for foreign workers and graduates in just five weeks. Another draw then took place on March 22. In total, 2,074 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to the BC PNP have been issued since the beginning of February. Around half of these ITAs were issued to international graduates who completed their studies in Canada.

All 377 ITAs issued on March 8 were issued across a range of BC PNP sub-categories managed under the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS), a unique system used to rank and select candidates under certain BC PNP sub-categories.

The March 22 round of invitations included 12 candidates who had made an Expression of Interest under the Entrepreneur Stream, which is not managed through the SIRS. The remaining 425 ITAs were issued under SIRS sub-categories of the BC PNP.

Some invited individuals are now in a position to submit their BC PNP provincial nomination application through one of the enhanced BC PNP sub-categories aligned with the federal Express Entry selection system, thereby benefiting from an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, which in turn means the candidate is first in line to receive an ITA at the federal Express Entry level. The remaining candidates will have their applications for permanent residence processed outside the Express Entry system.

A qualifying job offer from a BC employer is required for the above categories. Potential applicants can use the SIRS Calculator to determine what their score might be if they were to register under the SIRS.

Candidates eligible for one of the MPNP for Skilled Workers sub-categories are ranked according to a unique points system that awards up to 1,000 points.

On March 16, a total of 313 candidates in the system were issued a Letter of Advice to Apply (LAA, more informally known as an invitation) based on the number of points they had been awarded. A total of 250 candidates, each of whom had at 684 or more points, were issued a LAA under the criteria for the Skilled Workers in Manitoba sub-category. The remaining 63 LAAs were issued to candidates in the Skilled Workers Overseas sub-category who were invited directly under a Strategic Recruitment Initiative, and who had at least 703 points.

The AINP streams are all “base” streams, meaning they are not aligned with the Express Entry immigration selection system. Indeed, Alberta does not currently process any applications through the federal Express Entry system.

These sub-categories target newcomers who have work experience in an in-demand occupation. Moreover, no job offer is required for either sub-category.

Both of these SINP sub-categories have opened for new applications on numerous occasions since they were introduced in 2015. Intake quotas for these streams usually fill within a few days, or even hours on occasion. Consequently, potential applicants who prepare in advance by gathering and reviewing required documentation, and by keeping up to date with the program, are best positioned to immigrate to Canada through one of these SINP sub-categories.

The west is wide open

“Over recent years, there has been a steady move west among newcomers to Canada, as well as people already living here. The publicly available data bears this out. A shift is occurring, and the Provincial Nominee Programs are the driving force behind much of the population growth out west,” says Attorney David Cohen.

“When it comes to these programs, however, the importance of preparation cannot be overestimated. Take Saskatchewan, for example, where sub-categories frequently open and close without warning. Further, many of the applications received and invitations issued over recent weeks and months were through streams that are not aligned with the federal Express Entry system.

“Even for individuals eligible for Express Entry, there is no harm in also pursuing base PNP options, as well as enhanced categories. Individuals who are seriously considering immigrating to Canada would do well to have their options assessed across a range of programs and streams, including those that are aligned with Express Entry, as well as those that are not.”

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Regard
Kramuddin Noori

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My PNP got approved for Alberta province.
Now only last Phase is pending to get my PR.
Salary on my PNP shows $26 per hour, is that will be my Salary or it might change from the job offer.
How much time it takes to get a PR after PNP is Approved.